Even if you're a seasoned K-drama watcher, there are some understated series after all to find on Netflix, Viki and more.
If you think you've seen every K-drama out there, think again; there are hidden gems tucked away, just waiting for you to hit play, these are the shows that slipped under the radar, not because they weren't good, but maybe because they didn't have the biggest stars or the most dramatic advertising.
Here are some hidden K-drama gems and where to stream them in 2024:
1. "Into the Ring" (2020) Stream it on: Viki, Kocowa+
Goo Se-ra, known for her meddling ways, decides to run for local office in Mawon District against odds, including her own lack of qualifications and the elite competition; her journey through the gritty world of politics is marked by her unexpected partnership with Seo Gong-myung, a stickler civil servant, as they tackle corruption and find love.
2. "Rain or Shine" (also known as "Just Between Lovers") (2017-2018) Stream it on: Netflix, Viki
After surviving a tragic accident that killed their loved ones, Lee Kang-doo and Ha Moon-soo find solace and healing in each other's company, as they face the long-hidden truths and personal demons that the disaster left in its wake, challenging their future happiness.
3. "Flower of Evil" (2020) Stream it on: Netflix, Viki
Baek Hee-sung, living under a false identity, sees his seemingly perfect life unravel when his detective wife, Cha Ji-won, begins to uncover his dark past, involving serial killings and a web of lies, testing the limits of love, trust, and family.
4. "I Am Not a Robot" (2017-2018) Stream it on: Viki, Kocowa+
A man with a rare condition that makes him allergic to human contact finds himself falling for a woman pretending to be a robot, leading to unexpected romance, comedic misadventures, and the challenge of hiding her true identity.
5. "Reflection of You" (2021) Stream it on: Netflix
A successful painter, Hee-joo, encounters a younger woman who mirrors the impoverished life she once led, unraveling a tale of jealousy, betrayal, and unresolved wounds from their pasts, which dramatically alter their futures and those around them.
6. "Hi Bye, Mama!" (2020) Stream it on: Netflix
Cha Yu-ri, a ghost for five years following her sudden death, is granted the chance to become human again for 49 days, striving to reclaim her place in her family's life, only to find her husband remarried, leading to heartwarming and heart-wrenching decisions about love, motherhood, and letting go.
7. "Move to Heaven" (2021) Stream it on: Netflix
Geu-ru, a young man with Asperger's syndrome, and his ex-convict uncle, Sang-gu, run a trauma cleaning business, uncovering the untold stories of the deceased, which lead them on a journey of emotional healing and family reconciliation.
8. "Love ft. Marriage and Divorce" (2021) Stream it on: Netflix
The intertwined lives of three couples facing marital challenges against the backdrop of the entertainment industry reveal a complex web of love affairs, betrayals, and the quest for happiness, testing the strength and resilience of their bonds.
9. "My Name" (2021) Stream it on: Netflix
Following her father's murder, Yoon Ji-woo joins a powerful crime syndicate and goes undercover as a police officer to seek revenge, entangling herself in a dangerous web of deceit, loyalty, and justice, where her true identity and motives are constantly at risk.
10. "Lovestruck in the City" (2020-2021) Stream it on: Netflix
A heartfelt series chronicling the love story between an architect and a freelance marketer, whose passionate summer fling becomes complicated by lies and misunderstandings when they unexpectedly reunite in the bustling city of Seoul, challenging their notions of love and commitment.
11. "Mr. Sunshine" (2018) Stream it on: Netflix
Eugene Choi, born into slavery in Joseon and escaped to the United States, returns as a Marine Corps officer to his homeland, where he becomes embroiled in the fight for Korea's sovereignty, falling in love with an aristocrat's daughter amidst the looming threat of colonization by Japan.
12. "Personal Taste" (2010) Stream it on: Viki, Kocowa+
To stay in the home designed by her late father, Park Gae-in, a naive furniture designer, agrees to live with a man she thinks is gay, architect Jeon Jin-ho, who has his own motives for moving in, leading to misunderstandings, comedy, and romance as they discover truths about themselves and each other.
13. "Romance is a Bonus Book" (2019) Stream it on: Netflix
A gifted copywriter struggling after a career break, Kang Dan-i lies about her background to work at a publishing company, where her longtime friend, Cha Eun-ho, is an editor and successful author; their professional and personal lives intertwine, exploring themes of second chances and evolving relationships.
14. "Sky Castle" (2018-2019) Stream it on: Netflix
An exclusive residential area for elite families becomes the epicenter of ambitious parents and their children's education, where secrets, lies, and extreme measures unfold, exposing the dark underbelly of their pursuit of prestige at any cost.
15. "The Uncanny Counter" (2020-2021) Stream it on: Netflix
High school student So Mun joins a group of demon hunters known as Counters, who chase evil spirits that prey on humans; balancing his life between the supernatural battles and everyday challenges, he now has to adapt.
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